T&P for my lil sis

NeneCakies · January 2014

My sister's mole (a 2nd one seems to have disappeared) is suspicious and being biopsied today. Results won't be in for a couple weeks but I'm worried. I'm no expert but it straight up looks and acts like melanoma and I don't know what else it could be. So I am expecting a skin cancer diagnosis but praying she didn't wait too long and it has not spread. Obviously the best news of all would be that it is benign.

I don't like to burden people with sadness but some extra good vibes for her couldn't hurt. DH thinks I shouldn't worry until we know for sure but it's really hard to turn off. Thanks ladies.

stlmomma27 · January 2014

Good and positive thoughts heading your way!

Jeffreysmom24 · January 2014

Hoping for the best for her - keep us posted!

Toni79 · January 2014

Keeping her in my thoughts! Let us know how it turns out.

Try to keep in mind that there are various levels/severity of "moles acting funny". I've had more moles than I can count removed because they were "suspicious"!

When I was a freshman in highschool I had a mole on my back that got a white halo around it (did not tan or burn in the sun). Halo was about 2 inches in diameter. It was removed and biopsied, and it turned out to be non cancerous. They never told me that I needed to come back every year for full body check up, so I never did.

Fast forward 15-20 years ...

THEN ... I've always had a very large raised mole on my chest. After DD was born it changed (got lighter in color and shape changed) and was very tender. I wasn't sure if it was just because I was BFing or if there was something else going on. I went and had a full body scan and the Dr wanted to remove it an severl other moles (like 8-9 in total - I don't remember the # anymore). Some of the ones she wanted to remove didn't look suspicious to me - just small dots. But I guess if they are super dark then they consider them suspicious. Of the 8ish I had removed two had "severly atypical" margins, and I had to have even more of the skin around and under where they were removed. The biopcies came back fine.

I had to go back every 3 months, then every 6 months. I just went this week and guess what? One of the small ones they removed is "growing back", so now I have to go back and have it removed and biopsied AGAIN! I'm supposed to finally be on the once a year visits, but depending on the results i may have to go back to every 3 or 6 months! Plus there are several moles/frecles that she's "watching".

Sorry ... this is alot of info about me. But I just wanted to share that not every mole that looks suspicious is cancerous. But I do think its important for everyone to get yearly checkup with a dermatologist because even the ones that look fine to us might look suspicious to them!

Good luck to your sis! And keep us posted.

NeneCakies · January 2014

@Toni79 thank you for your story. It really gave me some hope. Sorry you are also dealing with similar circumstances but I am glad to hear you are being vigilant since early detection is so important.